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Carrie Rodriguez 
Forgot about the toilets. The wash closets are not free; there is a charge for them. The exception is most restaurants where they do not charge. Walking through the open mall, over an acre of open land, and there was a small stall; it was an elaborate port-a-potty. You pay your Euros and the door opens for you. Another unique experience was the rotating toilet seat at the restaurant we had dinner at. After it was flushed to seat began to move; there was an area at the back which sanitized the entire seat.
Up earlier again today. Julie and Diego were making a video call to her family and they were enjoying the morning (10pm in Tucson). We called Cesar just after; he needed one extra ring to grab the cat and bring her to the phone so Diego could see her. Andreina had just been there to switch cars so she could deliver 2 cakes. Victoria was already asleep so she did not wake up when Cesar went to get Bella for Diego, too. Our federal income tax refund was already in! Woot. Now he can mail the amended return and they can see Andreina is claiming herself, not us, and her return can be deposited. Got some laundry and breakfast early then Adrianna made some egg sandwiches, too. Play time for the boys and laughing again for us ladies. This wiped Diego out and he put his head down on the pillow and passed out till we got him into the car.
Headed for the mall. Found people will play a game of chicken for a parking space. First stop was the large department store recommended to us for the charm I was looking for. There were hundreds; with all of us looking, we thought we would find one. We asked the clerk when she finished with her last customer and, “Yes, we have one”, pointing to the place we had just looked…Detailed with moving parts. So my hunt is over. There was a store we were all sure would be my personal favorite for clothes; such beautiful layers and unique details and muted colors. Took a couple photos of display items, which the employees do not approve, but I wanted to remember the pretty dress bow and crystal embellishments for halogen lights. Found a scarf for Julie, coffee spoons for Adrianna and Andres which hang on the side of the coffee cup, some candy and a few toys including a megaphone for Andres because the store did not have the cable cover he wanted for his audio/video connection for the tv. The toy store was a good place to stop; Diego played with the marble table the entire time others were shopping. Several times, he willingly handed the marble to a little girl so she could have a turn. Not so for the boy, he was on his own. It was similar to the marble tunnels our kids had but was made of wood and incorporated musical instruments like a xylophone. At the next toy store there were life size Bert and Ernie puppets and a Very Large Winnie the Pooh; Diego was sure this was too good to be true. He was meeting his friends right there in that store. He was so happy. There was a car show (about 8 cars) in the mall and an encouragement for Andres; the one he liked was 57k Euros which means it is actually affordable someday. Added to his dream list.
Our lunch was at a gelato/sandwich/cappuccino shop. The sandwiches were simple and on fresh bread. The cappuccino came with a gingerbread biscuit. Julie’s salad was, as expected, fresh. We only gazed at the gelato menu in amazement. The wonderful desserts were filled with decoratively cut fruits, cookies, dipped chocolate pieces, whipped cream; beautiful. They must have had almost 50 specialties; some with alcohol. The alcohol is a point in itself. It is everywhere and the legal drinking age for beer and wine is 14; liquor is 18. There are bars throughout the mall. Ordering water with a meal is sparkling; still water is bottled water. Ice is charged for. It is such a different experience eating out here. No plastic or Styrofoam. Ceramic dishes and cups, glasses made of glass, metal silverware and often tablecloths. You feel welcome to dine, not stop quickly to spend money on a meal you consume just as quickly.
Julie took Adrianna down, back up one and down again flights of stairs when we left the parking garage. One contraction. At the house again, Diego began singing “Elmo’s World” for us.
Adrianna researched and found pineapple, mango and kiwi help induce labor. Her candy choice was chocolate covered pineapple. Raspberry tea and spicy food were also on the list. When John and Michelle and Diego’s best friend Hayden came by to ask us to join them for Thai tonight, we agreed. Guitar Hero until time to leave for dinner.
There was an amazing “Singing Potty” event. Diego used his potty and when it is wet, it sings! Lots of clapping and cheering. Funny event after- I was cleaning it so it thought it was being wet again so Diego came to the bathroom to congratulate me for successfully using the potty! Thinking on why it worked then and not again later, could be the amount of clothes Diego was wearing. He only had a clean diaper on in the afternoon. But when we returned from dinner he was wearing all his clothes and shoes. He did not want to take off his clothes to sit on the potty. One diaper was ok, not all his attire.
Thai food and good company. Norton’s arrived with a gun for Diego (and a bucket and shovel for the playground but the gun was quickly accepted and the sand toys will be greatly appreciated next time he makes it to the playground with Hayden.) They had called to see if Diego had any guns. Andres replied he did, both those he was given and those he made. His arsenal is the pantry. His first one was a piece of toast he chewed into the shape and began shooting. We have seen pretzel and pizza guns so far; waiting for his next creation. And why was Diego's guns of toast an important point? Because his daddy did the same thing with the same medium 20 years before him. Diego fell asleep on the way to the restaurant and slept during the ordering. He was ready to go again with one of his favorite dished being served, rice. We headed to a gelato shop on the way back to the car. The owner’s 16 month old grandson was downstairs with her. At first she would not let him join our fun for fear of intruding, but she soon saw we were not just being polite and welcomed her grandson’s company. The boys stomped and smiled and played a couple running games. We kept a watchful eye because they are at the beginning of their social skills and know the game can change in the blink of an eye. A fun time was had by all three boys with each waving good-bye as we crossed the street to the parking lot. (It seemed unusual to walk a few blocks to the restaurant, but there was not another parking area closer to it. So we parked near the gelato shop.) It was a sorrowful parting though when Diego realized he was not going with Hayden as we got back into our car for the drive back home.
A movie (ok, Andres fast forwarded through ½ of “Up” for Diego-planning ahead so he would not be so sad at being put to bed before the movie was over) for Diego and the playing card version of Monopoly for Julie, Andres, Adrianna and I. It was a lot of fun, lots of new rules which they made me go get my glasses for before the second game, and lots more laughing. It is a known fact that Andres and Adrianna are very competitive…
End of Saturday. ½ way through the weekend. Saw Isabella move her whole self around while Adrianna was sitting at the desk. Perhaps she will move more tonight…We are thankful our Father God is the One who holds all time in His hands and that we trust Him because He is God.
Up earlier again today. Julie and Diego were making a video call to her family and they were enjoying the morning (10pm in Tucson). We called Cesar just after; he needed one extra ring to grab the cat and bring her to the phone so Diego could see her. Andreina had just been there to switch cars so she could deliver 2 cakes. Victoria was already asleep so she did not wake up when Cesar went to get Bella for Diego, too. Our federal income tax refund was already in! Woot. Now he can mail the amended return and they can see Andreina is claiming herself, not us, and her return can be deposited. Got some laundry and breakfast early then Adrianna made some egg sandwiches, too. Play time for the boys and laughing again for us ladies. This wiped Diego out and he put his head down on the pillow and passed out till we got him into the car.
Headed for the mall. Found people will play a game of chicken for a parking space. First stop was the large department store recommended to us for the charm I was looking for. There were hundreds; with all of us looking, we thought we would find one. We asked the clerk when she finished with her last customer and, “Yes, we have one”, pointing to the place we had just looked…Detailed with moving parts. So my hunt is over. There was a store we were all sure would be my personal favorite for clothes; such beautiful layers and unique details and muted colors. Took a couple photos of display items, which the employees do not approve, but I wanted to remember the pretty dress bow and crystal embellishments for halogen lights. Found a scarf for Julie, coffee spoons for Adrianna and Andres which hang on the side of the coffee cup, some candy and a few toys including a megaphone for Andres because the store did not have the cable cover he wanted for his audio/video connection for the tv. The toy store was a good place to stop; Diego played with the marble table the entire time others were shopping. Several times, he willingly handed the marble to a little girl so she could have a turn. Not so for the boy, he was on his own. It was similar to the marble tunnels our kids had but was made of wood and incorporated musical instruments like a xylophone. At the next toy store there were life size Bert and Ernie puppets and a Very Large Winnie the Pooh; Diego was sure this was too good to be true. He was meeting his friends right there in that store. He was so happy. There was a car show (about 8 cars) in the mall and an encouragement for Andres; the one he liked was 57k Euros which means it is actually affordable someday. Added to his dream list.
Our lunch was at a gelato/sandwich/cappuccino shop. The sandwiches were simple and on fresh bread. The cappuccino came with a gingerbread biscuit. Julie’s salad was, as expected, fresh. We only gazed at the gelato menu in amazement. The wonderful desserts were filled with decoratively cut fruits, cookies, dipped chocolate pieces, whipped cream; beautiful. They must have had almost 50 specialties; some with alcohol. The alcohol is a point in itself. It is everywhere and the legal drinking age for beer and wine is 14; liquor is 18. There are bars throughout the mall. Ordering water with a meal is sparkling; still water is bottled water. Ice is charged for. It is such a different experience eating out here. No plastic or Styrofoam. Ceramic dishes and cups, glasses made of glass, metal silverware and often tablecloths. You feel welcome to dine, not stop quickly to spend money on a meal you consume just as quickly.
Julie took Adrianna down, back up one and down again flights of stairs when we left the parking garage. One contraction. At the house again, Diego began singing “Elmo’s World” for us.
Adrianna researched and found pineapple, mango and kiwi help induce labor. Her candy choice was chocolate covered pineapple. Raspberry tea and spicy food were also on the list. When John and Michelle and Diego’s best friend Hayden came by to ask us to join them for Thai tonight, we agreed. Guitar Hero until time to leave for dinner.
There was an amazing “Singing Potty” event. Diego used his potty and when it is wet, it sings! Lots of clapping and cheering. Funny event after- I was cleaning it so it thought it was being wet again so Diego came to the bathroom to congratulate me for successfully using the potty! Thinking on why it worked then and not again later, could be the amount of clothes Diego was wearing. He only had a clean diaper on in the afternoon. But when we returned from dinner he was wearing all his clothes and shoes. He did not want to take off his clothes to sit on the potty. One diaper was ok, not all his attire.
Thai food and good company. Norton’s arrived with a gun for Diego (and a bucket and shovel for the playground but the gun was quickly accepted and the sand toys will be greatly appreciated next time he makes it to the playground with Hayden.) They had called to see if Diego had any guns. Andres replied he did, both those he was given and those he made. His arsenal is the pantry. His first one was a piece of toast he chewed into the shape and began shooting. We have seen pretzel and pizza guns so far; waiting for his next creation. And why was Diego's guns of toast an important point? Because his daddy did the same thing with the same medium 20 years before him. Diego fell asleep on the way to the restaurant and slept during the ordering. He was ready to go again with one of his favorite dished being served, rice. We headed to a gelato shop on the way back to the car. The owner’s 16 month old grandson was downstairs with her. At first she would not let him join our fun for fear of intruding, but she soon saw we were not just being polite and welcomed her grandson’s company. The boys stomped and smiled and played a couple running games. We kept a watchful eye because they are at the beginning of their social skills and know the game can change in the blink of an eye. A fun time was had by all three boys with each waving good-bye as we crossed the street to the parking lot. (It seemed unusual to walk a few blocks to the restaurant, but there was not another parking area closer to it. So we parked near the gelato shop.) It was a sorrowful parting though when Diego realized he was not going with Hayden as we got back into our car for the drive back home.
A movie (ok, Andres fast forwarded through ½ of “Up” for Diego-planning ahead so he would not be so sad at being put to bed before the movie was over) for Diego and the playing card version of Monopoly for Julie, Andres, Adrianna and I. It was a lot of fun, lots of new rules which they made me go get my glasses for before the second game, and lots more laughing. It is a known fact that Andres and Adrianna are very competitive…
End of Saturday. ½ way through the weekend. Saw Isabella move her whole self around while Adrianna was sitting at the desk. Perhaps she will move more tonight…We are thankful our Father God is the One who holds all time in His hands and that we trust Him because He is God.
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